Just got a new Prius at work. It has the Touring Package. I've put about 50 miles on it and my first impressions are a mixed bag. The good news is I got 42 mpg on the trip home from the office, which is about twice what I usually get. The car has no problem keeping up with traffic. It rides ok and seemed relatively quiet inside but I still had difficulty understanding some of the stuff on the radio and the sound just seemed weird somehow.
I did not find the seating position to be particularly comfortable. The seat cushion is angled too low in front and isn't adjustable and there is not enough lower back support, which is also not adjustable. The tilt steering wheel only has a tiny amount of up and down adjustment, hardly worth bothering with. The touch screen is cute but I'm not in love yet with having to pick a menu to get to the AC controls and radio controls. But since they also have them on the steering wheel I'm sure that once you learn which buttons to push its not a problem, just takes familiarization.
The "numbers" for acceleration indicate it's got enough power to keep up with traffic but I find the lack of immediate OOMPH when you push the pedal takes some of the fun out of things but realize it's undoubtedly a tradeoff for the better gas mileage. The drive train sort of feels like things are connected with bungee cords. Brakes are great, steering feel good.
The Smart Key system is great, I wish all the vehicles I drive had it. If I was paying for the gas I'd consider it a keeper for my commute but since my employer is paying for the gas I'm going to send this Prius to our motor pool and stick with my 2005 Crown Vic assigned vehicle as it's got better throttle response and better lower back support, two major items for me. And I think it's radio sounds better too.
It will be interesting to see how the users feel about it after they get some miles on it, mostly they now drive Taruses.